Family Law Blog

Deck the Halls Without Disputes: A Holiday Custody Arrangement Checklist

The holiday season brings joy and festivities, but shared custody arrangements can make scheduling stressful for families. With some preparation, you can create a joyful and smooth experience for everyone. Here's a helpful holiday custody arrangement checklist to make this season cheerful, simple, and enjoyable!

1. Plan Ahead

Although creating a holiday co-parenting schedule might seem overwhelming, starting early can minimize last-minute stress and disagreements. Allowing yourself extra time to sort out the details alleviates pressure and simplifies the season. Coordinate plans with your child’s other parent to avoid confusion and confirm the schedule in writing so everyone knows where they need to be and when. Sharing the plan with your children helps reduce anxiety and ensures they feel prepared.

2. Keep the Kids' Well-being in Mind

The most important priority during holiday planning is your children’s well-being. Every decision should aim to reduce stress and create joy for them. If old traditions feel hard to maintain after a substantial change, introduce new ones that you can share together. New traditions help shift attention away from uncertainty and toward fun, giving your children something positive to look forward to. Even if the holidays look different this year, you can make them feel special and memorable by focusing on what matters most: their happiness.

3. Align on Gift Expectations

Discuss gift expectations with your co-parent well in advance. Be mindful of each other’s financial situation and avoid turning gift-giving into a competition. What matters most is not the type or cost of the presents, but the quality time you spend with your children during the holidays. Review the “Santa” list together and coordinate purchases to prevent duplicate gifts and ensure a thoughtful approach.

4. Strive for Consistency and Adapt When Needed

Choose an arrangement that remains consistent year after year, so everyone knows what to expect when the next holiday season arrives. Predictability helps you, your co-parent, and your children feel more at ease. At the same time, remember that the holidays often bring unexpected changes, such as surprise visitors or weather delays. While consistency is important, flexibility matters too. Be willing to adapt and approach changes with understanding, since children can sense tension. A balanced approach creates a calmer, happier experience for the whole family.

5. Use Your Resources

Sorting out custody arrangements is not always simple, but help is just a phone call away if things get frosty. If you anticipate challenges or run into difficulties, reach out to your attorney for guidance. They can unwrap your options and help you find the best path forward, whether that means filing a last-minute motion or working toward a peaceful resolution with the other parent. Your attorney will tailor advice to your situation so you can keep spirits bright and make the season merry for everyone.

As you make parenting arrangements for the season, keep these tips in mind and focus on creating a joyful experience for your children. A little planning goes a long way toward reducing stress and keeping things merry and bright. If you need help understanding your options or resolving challenges, contact your McBrayer attorney today.

Su H. Kang is a Member of McBrayer. Ms. Kang’s practice focuses primarily on family law and domestic relations, handling matters of divorce, spousal maintenance, division of debt and property, and child custody and support. She works primarily in the firm’s Louisville office and can be reached at skang@mcbrayerfirm.com or at (502) 888-1833.

Services may be performed by others. This article does not constitute legal advice.